Should I be concerned about oxalates in my diet? They say ignorance is bliss. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case when trying to assemble the puzzle of healing. While the GAPS diet has drastically improved my autoimmune disease, I know there are still missing pieces in my healing journey.
Oxalates are another. Like phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors, plants produce oxalates because they don’t want to be eaten! While these molecules can cause health issues for humans, it actually tears up the teeth of insects which try to eat high oxalate foods.
In a non- leaky human gut, oxalates are degraded by the bacteria oxalobacter formingenes. This prevents the molecules from traveling to the large intestine and being absorbed by body tissues. This person would have low oxalate content in blood and urine samples.
In a leaky gut or when oxalobacter is diminished (by antibiotics, for example), oxalates escape into the bloodstream, damaged body tissues, glands, secretory organs and the brain. Out of place, oxalates impair enzymes, oxidize cell membranes, interferes with nutrient absorption, and can even alter DNA transcription. When oxalates link up with calcium, it forms irritating crystals (kidney stones, for example). But does a leaky gut really make a difference with oxalate build- up? Yes: Ordinarily, the gut won’t absorb much of the oxalate from the diet because most of . Under other conditions, such as when there is gut inflammation, a lot of dietary oxalate is absorbed. The difference can be as great as going from 1- 2% of the dietary oxalate absorbed to 5.
But you may wish to consider reducing oxalates if you: have taken antibiotics frequently or for long periods of timehave a leaky gut and food sensitivities/allergieshave any autoimmune issuehave any inflammatory issue like asthma, arthritis or fibromyalgiahave fat maldigestionare on the autism spectrum or have a brain disorder like A. D. D., depression or dyslexia (Source)From my research, I’ve discovered that many folks find a low- oxalate diet quickly makes a noticeable difference with autism and arthritis. High oxalates on a grain free diet. So why am I calling oxalates a grain- free diet trap? When transitioning from meals filled with convenient starches, many folks to into cardiac arrest on their first day of grain- free and scream, “Just give me something bready!!” (*ahem* I may or may not have shared that experience). Then they discover the solution: almond flour and other ground nuts. Almonds (and most other nut and seeds) are very high in oxalates.
They say ignorance is bliss. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case when trying to assemble the puzzle of healing. While the GAPS diet has drastically improved my. Our clinic specializes in canine allergies, for this reason one of our patients directed our staff to this article. Bravo for Modern Dog writing on the subject in. President, Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION) Blades Court, Deodar Road London SW15 2NU Phone: 01. Understand what grain free cat food actually means and whether or not it is a healthy solution to feed your cat.
To make things worse, we can consume huge amounts of almonds/nuts/seeds when they are ground into flour and baked into a treat. As a matter of fact, a cup of almond flour contains 9. The same point applies to nut butters (a tablespoon of almond butter contains 6 almonds). A high- oxalate diet is not inherently bad.
However, it is something to be aware of it you are still struggling with digestive symptoms after transitioning to a grain free diet. I recommend following the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol, a temporary healing diet to seal a leaky gut, before trying a low oxalate diet. So many individuals experience radical shifts in digestion and symptoms after starting the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol. With that said, here are some popular foods to keep on your oxalate radar: Common Foods with Medium Oxalates.
Fruits: bananas, mandarin oranges, pears, papaya. Vegetables: red potatoes, raw broccoli, boiled carrots, raw collard greens, eggplant, leeks, lima beans, string beans, tomatoes. Grains/Legumes: Lentils, rice, oats, chickpeas. Other: Pumpkin seeds. Common Foods with High/Very High Oxalates.
Fruit: berries, persimmons, orange zest (marmalade), lemon zest, lime zest, figs, currants, dates. Vegetables: raw and steamed carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, celery, beets, chard, cooked broccoli, cooked brussels sprouts, cooked cabbage, chili peppers, rhubarb, spinach, peppers, processed tomatoes (canned, sauce or paste)Grains/Legumes: Most grains and starches (wheat, rye, kamut, buckwheat, millet, sorghum, arrowroot, potato starch, rice flour).
Eczema Food Allergies - Removing Offending Foods For natural healing, a complete program is necessary. A natural cure for eczema requires not only avoiding food.
Identifying food allergies or sensitivities allows you to reap many health benefits, such as eliminating your migraine. As mentioned, this is a fairly restrictive elimination diet. There are lists available on the.
Also most beans (black beans, chickpeas, navy beans). All soy products, too (but you are generally avoiding those already. Also: stevia, chocolate, carob, kombucha and chia seeds(Adapted partly from this chart. You can find a more detailed list there.)UPDATE: Many readers have told me that the most accurate and up- to- date information about the oxalate content in certain foods can be found by joining the Yahoo Trying Low Oxalates Group.“OMG?
Now even organic spinach is cursed!” Take a deep breath. Let grassfed/pastured/local meats, eggs, dairy (like my homemade raw yogurt), and low oxalate produce make up the bulk of your meals. Then mindfully include small amounts of medium oxalate treats on occasion. Remember, a grain- free diet like the GAPS diet can reverse a leaky gut. So look forward to a high oxalate indulgence in the future, after some healing has taken place. If you don’t want to go on a full- blown low oxalate diet, be mindful of the high oxalate foods you are currently eating.
Are your desserts made of dates and ground nuts? Do you have a green smoothie everyday? Those are places where you can make an easy change.
Simply leave the spinach out of your smoothie and use raw honey instead of dates. Also, gradually reduce oxalate consumption to prevent an overwhelming detox reaction. In a Julie Matthew’s interview, the autism/nutrition expert’s guest explained: Calculate, as best as you can, how high. The one thing that you don’t want to do is detox faster than your body can handle. Enjoy some kombucha, tamari sauce and almond butter.
Just remember the cardinal rule: moderation. Are you trying to juggle a low oxalate diet and a grain- free diet? Have you found a low oxalate lifestyle helpful in ameliorating health issues?
Food Allergies in Dogs ? Does she have frequent ear infections or poor coat quality?
You could be contributing to your dog’s distress without knowing it if she’s allergic to what you’re feeding her. Food allergies are a rising concern with dog owners and it seems like more and more dogs are suffering from them. But what exactly is a food allergy? Food allergies are different from food intolerance. Food intolerance is the result of poor digestion, such as lactose intolerance.
People and dogs with lactose intolerance are either missing or have low levels of the milk digesting enzyme lactase. Food allergies are the over- response of your dog’s immune system to an invading protein.
In the case of a food allergy, this protein is contained in your dog’s food. Proteins are present in most of the foods your dog eats. While most people recognize that meats are a source of proteins, there are also proteins present in grains and vegetables.
Any one of these proteins has the potential to cause a food allergy. Your dog’s gastrointestinal system (mouth, stomach, intestines) protects her from potential allergens each day. Approximately 7. 0 percent of the body’s entire immune system is centered in the gastrointestinal tract. When your dog eats a meal, the food is first digested in the stomach. The large pieces of food are broken down into smaller pieces by stomach acid and then enzymes and stomach acid work together to break the complex protein structures down into smaller structures. The partially digested food then moves into the small intestine.
The food is further digested until the proteins are broken down into their smallest parts, amino acids, which can then be absorbed into the body through special cells called enterocytes. Enterocytes act as both a welcoming hostess to amino acids that they like and want, and as bouncers (door guards) for amino acids they don’t like. When a whole protein is absorbed in the intestines instead of being broken down first, the immune system reacts and your dog shows symptoms of a food allergy. When the System Works.
The intestinal tract’s ability to prevent the absorption of whole protein is dependant on the health and integrity of the mucosal barrier. It is the proverbial guardian of the body at the gastrointestinal gate. The mucosal barrier (lining of the gut) is comprised of both structural components and immune system components. The structural components physically prevent the absorption of large proteins.
The immune system component is responsible for recognizing potentially harmful contents of the gastrointestinal tract. The health and integrity of the gastrointestinal tract is dependant on the normal structure and function of the enterocytes, effective protein digestion, and the presence of the dog’s immune cells (called Ig.
A cells) in the gastrointestinal tract. The Gut and Immune System Together Prevent Food Allergies.
Ig. A cells are a type of immune cell secreted in the intestine. Some of the Ig. A will float freely in the contents of the intestine while other Ig. A attaches to the wall of the intestine to prevent whole protein from coming in contact with the enterocytes. Just like volleyball players they bounce whole proteins back into the contents of the intestine for more digestion. The more effective protein digestion in the stomach and intestine is, the smaller the proteins are when they come in contact with the Ig. A. Small proteins and single amino acids do not get bound to the Ig. A and are allowed to pass by the Ig.
A and be absorbed into the body as nutrients. Some of the breeds most prone to food allergies include: Boxer, Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel, Collie, Dalmatian, German Shepherd, Lhasa Apso, Miniature Schnauzer, Retriever, Shar Pei, Soft- Coated Wheaten Terrier, Dachshund, and West Highland White Terrier. Most common food allergens include: beef, dairy, and wheat. Least common food allergens are fish and rabbit. General signs and symptoms of allergies include: dry itchy skin, excessive scratching or licking, bald patches, a high frequency of hot spots, ear infections, skin infections, diarrhea, and vomiting. When the System Fails.
Malnutrition can affect enterocyte structure and function. A poorly functioning or damaged enterocyte can let whole proteins into the body.
Once a whole protein has managed to breach all of the gut’s defenses, gut- associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) takes over. GALT can prevent the body’s natural immune response to a foreign protein. Most of the time this is what happens, but in the case of food allergies, GALT does not prevent the immune response and an allergic response (immune hypersensitivity) is formed. Unfortunately, every time the food is eaten, this over- response of the immune response becomes greater. So continuing to consume the diet that caused the allergic response results in a greater and greater response every time. After this hypersensitivity is formed, each time the dog eats the food, mast cells in the body’s immune system release hertamine. If this hertamine release is large enough, it may manifest as diarrhea, itchy skin, chronic skin infections etc.
Isolating the Problem. The first thing you need to do is work with your veterinarian to make sure that your dog’s symptoms truly indicate a food allergy. If that’s the case, your vet will likely recommend that you try an elimination diet— feeding a food that has a different protein (meat) source and a different carbohydrate (grain) source than what your dog has had before. Common anti- allergy foods (novel protein sources) include kangaroo and oatmeal or venison and potato. This prevents the immune response from continuing to be triggered.
Your vet may also suggest that you try a hypoallergenic diet. These foods are made with hydrolyzed proteins. That means that the proteins are already broken down into pieces that are small enough that Ig. A won’t bind to them and they won’t trigger an immune response. Lamb and rice foods used to be considered “hypoallergenic” when most commercial dog foods were made with chicken or beef and corn or wheat. Since most dogs had never had lamb or rice before, it was a good option for dogs that experienced allergies while eating a regular food. Now, however, many dogs are showing allergies to lamb and rice diets.
This is to be expected since an allergy can develop to any diet. If your dog is allergic to lamb and rice you may need to find a food with different ingredients such as fish and oatmeal, or venison and sweet potato. While your dog is on any special diet, it’s very important that she doesn’t get any other food such as cookies, treats, rawhides, people foods, etc. Since you don’t know yet exactly what she is allergic to, you don’t want to give her something other than her food and trigger the allergic reaction.
Once you’ve got her on a food that she is not reacting to, you can start to reintroduce other foods. If your dog reacts, you’ll know exactly which food (or foods) causes the problem. Preventing Food Allergies. Is there anything we, as owners, can do to avoid food allergies from developing? This is one of the toughest questions in dog nutrition today. While we still don’t really know how to prevent allergies entirely, there are things you can do that may help your dog fight off numerous allergies.
Promote a healthy mucosal barrier. This can be done by ensuring that our dogs, and especially puppies, have adequate nutrition and health care. Watch out for gastroenteritis. There have been some theories that early gastroenteritis or severe gastroenteritis, especially in puppies or young dogs, can result in an adult dog that is more likely to develop food allergies. Preventing gastroenteritis, in theory, is easy— just don’t let your dog eat anything but dog food and treats. In actuality, this is much harder to deal with. Dogs eat a variety of things, some that are not harmful—grass, dirt, bark, wild berries (i.
It can be very hard to police what goes in your dog’s mouth. If you suspect that your dog has gotten into garbage or eaten something that may cause tummy upset, it may be best to feed your dog a low- protein diet (boiled white rice or potato) until the suspected tummy upset passes or you consult your vet. In general, if diarrhea lasts more than 7. In these cases, do not attempt to treat the dog yourself with over- the- counter medications because diarrhea is the body getting rid of bad things in the gut. To give something that stops the diarrhea can result in keeping the bad things in the gut and causing a serious illness. Promote effective protein digestion. In general, your dog should have no problem digesting protein.
If you are feeding a homemade cooked or raw diet, grinding or blending your protein source in a food processor can be helpful in improving protein digestion. In kibble- fed dogs, the protein is already ground before it is kibbled so there is no need to grind it. Choose a dog food with exclusive protein sources. A food that only has one or two protein sources can be helpful in giving you more choices later on should your dog develop an allergy.
For example, if you use a food with five protein sources (i. This can be challenging. Conversely, if you feed a diet with chicken as its sole protein source and your dog develops an allergy to it, you can easily find a diet that doesn’t contain chicken. Preventing food allergies may be impossible in dogs that are prone to developing food allergies. Some breeds are becoming noted for food allergies (see sidebar p. As a result, it is possible that a propensity for developing food allergies may be genetic, in which case, we should avoid breeding dogs that have food allergies.
Don’t Give Up Dealing with a dog with food allergies can be challenging and disheartening. Proper diagnosis of food allergies can make it easier and understanding why food allergies start can help us prevent future allergies from starting. On a personal note, my Labrador has had food allergies all his 1. It has been a long road and often a difficult one.